Recorder for games.



4 SKEETS-SHEET 1.

lNl/E/VIOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 14, 1911.

A. G. FLUSGHMAN. RECORDER FOR GAMES. I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, 1910.

.mvmsss: f 3M M- M A. C. FLUSCHMAN. RECORDER FOR GAMES. APPLICATION FILED MAE.14, 1910.

Patented Mar. 14, 1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

maul/0 WITNESSES.

0. FLUSG'HMAN; RECORDER FOR GAMES. APPLICATION FILED MAR.14, 1910.

Patented Mar. 14, 1911.

4 SHEBTB-BHEBT 3.

" ATTORNEY WITNESSES. I J '21 K MW A. C. FLUSUHMAN. RECORDER FOB GAMES. APPLICATION nun 12.14. 1910'.

' Patented Mar. 14, 1 911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

cm ONE Pom. BALL P901. FUEL INVENTOR 4 Arm/mar UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE ALBERT C. FLUSCHMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALE '10 HENRY MABTINSON, OF NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK.

nnconnna ro'n GAMES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, ALBERT C. FLUSCH- MAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Recorders for Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to recorders for games, and the object thereof is to rovide a recorder in a manner as hereina ter set forth for recording the number of players playing the game, the number of games played, the name of the game played, as well as visibly indicating the name of the game, the number of players playing the game, and when playing a new game, although the recorder is particularly designed for use in connection with the playing of games of pool, yet it is to be understood that the recorder can be used for'any purposes wherein it is found applicable.

As before stated the recorder is particularly designed for use in connection with the playing of gamesof pool and is set up in operative relation with respect to a ball releasing slide, which forms an element of aball-receiving' pocket associating with a pool table having runways for discharging the balls in said pocket. The release slide being so set up that when it isdesired to la a new ame of pool it is necessar to pei ate the slide to releaise the balls om the pocket to allow their being set up for the new game, and when the slide is operatcd the recorder is thrown into operation for permanently recording the playing of another game of pool and which also visibly indicates that another game is being played.

Other objects of the invention. are to provide a recorder for the purpose set forth, which shall be comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, efficient in its use, conveniently operated to perform its functions, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and readily set up in operative position with respect to the pool table.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompan ing drawings, wherein is, shown one form 0 the embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications-can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a recorder in accordance with this invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on line 3-3, Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on line ls-4, Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a detail in elevation illustrating the type wheel, Fig. 6 is a section on line 6'6, Fig. 5 and further showing the record strip or tape and the impression member or hammer, Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the record strip guide and support, Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8, Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a sectional detail broken away illustrating the actuating means for the impression member, Fig. 10 is a sectional detail illustratingthe actuating mechanism for the means for indicating the playing of a new game, Fig. 11 is a plan illustrating a pool table provided with a series of ball runways and a ball-receiving pocket. or receptacle, Fig. 12 is an elevation showing the adaptation of a recorder in connection with a pool table, Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of one of the ball runways, and Fig. 14 is a view illustrating the strip provided with a record.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A denotes a vertically-disposed casing having an open front closed through the medium of a transparent cover a maintained in position through the medium of'a frame a. p

The latteris provided with a series of transversely-extending divisional bars a for dividing the transparent cover a into a plurality of divisions. The top and bottom of the casing A has attached thereto a pair of angle irons a for coupling therewith a receptacle B having flanges a, which are overlapped by the angle irons of. Each of the receptacles B, at one side is provided with an opening I) closed by a slide 6'. The top of the casing A is provided with an opening a establishing communication between a receptacle B and the interior of the casing A, and the bottom of the casing A is formed with an opening a", whereby communication is established between the other receptacle B and the interior of the easing A.

ferently colored from that Journaled in the casing A near the front thereof are the s indles 1, 2, 3, 4 and C. Fixed to the spin le 1 15 a roll f and ateach end a gear wheel F. Fixed to the spindle 2 is a roll- 6 and at one end a gear E, which opposes one of the gear wheels F. Fixed to the spindle 3 is a roll (I and a gear D. Fixed to the spindle t is a roll a, a gear C and a notched dle C is a squared bar C havin each of its faces provided with a suitable indication the indications upon one face being difupon the other face and said spindle C has furthermore fixed thereto, at one end, a small gear N and apinion M, and has fixed to its other end a ratchet C Loosely mounted upon the spindle C and in proximity to the ratchet C is a large gear wheel G which carries a dog C maintained in engagement with the ratchet C by a spring C. A tached to the casing A and projecting in the path 'of the ratchet C is a stop C to prevent back rotation of the spindle C. By setting up the ratchet C dog C* and large gear C in the foregoing manner it is evident that when the large gear C is rotated in one direction that the spindle C will be moved therewith, but that the stop C will prevent rotation of the spindle G in the opposite direction.

Journaled in one side of the casing A is a rotatable shaft H having fixed thereto a handle it, which is arranged exteriorly of the casing A. Said shaft H has also fixed thereto a-large gear H, which meshes with the gears E and F, so that when the handle it is rotated, the shaft H and gear H will be carried therewith and owing to the meshing of the gear H with the gears E and F, the rolls a and f will be revolved, the roll f having, what may be termed, an unwinding movement and the roll 6, a Winding movement if the handle 71, is rotated in one direction, and an opposite movement when the handle it is rotated in the opposite direction. Mounted upon the rolls a and f is an apron R provided with suitable inscriptions, as at R, which are adapted to be exposed through the transparent cover a. The inscriptions upon the apron R indicate the number of players playing the game and the inscription R is exposed through the cover a by the manually shifting of the handle 71. The gear H, when the handle It is rotated causes the simultaneous operation of the rolls 6 and f.

lVound upon the rolls 0 and d is an apron P provided with a series of inscriptions to indicate the name of the game, which is being played, as at P The rolls 0 and d are operated simultaneously for the shifting of the apron P to position the proper inscription for exposure, through the cover a through the medium of a large gear wheel disk G. Fixed to the spin- K, which meshes with the gears C and D upon the spindles 3 and 4. To maintain the apron P in the position to which it has been adjusted, a spring armg is attached to one side of the casing A and is formed with a nose g, which engages in a notched disk G.

The gear K is fixed upon the end of the spindle 5 which is journaled in the casing A in a plane below the spindles 3, 4 and projects through one side of the casing A and has fixed to its projecting end a handle K Fixed to the spindle 5 and arranged within the casing A is a roll K formed with a spiral groove 7, through which travels a pin 8 carried by a collar mounted upon a sleeve 9 arranged upon the roll K. The pin 8 extends through the sleeve 9 and into the groove 7. Projecting from the collar 70 is an inclined arm is having a forked free end 10 which extends into a grooved collar 10 mounted upon a squared rock shaft L and capable of sliding thereon and which has attached thereto, a laterally-extending hammer arm Z provided at its free end with an impression hammer 1 the function of which will be hereinafter referred to. By rotating the handle 70 the spindle 5 with the roll K thereon will be revolved and motion will also be'imparted to the gear K and, as the lat ter meshes with the gears C, D, it is obvious that the spindles 3, 4 will be revolved and also owing to the engaging of the pin 8 in the groove 7 the sleeve 9 will be shifted transversely carrying the collar 10 and impression hammer therewith, the collar 10 sliding upon the-shaft L. The hammer arm 1 is supported by a transversely-extending rod Z, which is secured to the sides of the casing A.

J ournaled in the sides of the casing A in proximity to the opening a is a spindle 11 having fixed thereto a roll 0 with its periphery formed with lon 'tudinally-extending grooves 0 in each 0 which is seated a bar 0 provided with a series of type 0. The spindle 11, at one end has fixed thereto a large gear wheel F, which meshes with a pinion F mounted upon a stub shaft 12 ournaled in one side of the casing A. The shaft 12 is rovided with a large gear wheel F, which meshes with one of the gear wheels F upon the s indle 1. By operatively connecting the spin e 11 with the pinion F and by operatively connecting the gear F with the gear F, it is obvious that when the handle it is revolved, that movement will be transmitted to the spindle 11 through the gearing, and the type roll 0 will be revolved to position a type bar 0 for recording purposes. The roll 0 is provided with the same number of type bars as the number of inscriptions upon the apron R and the ty e bars 0 are so disposed throughout the peripliery of the roll 0, that when an inscription R has been moved to exposure position, its

corresponding type bar will be moved to position for recording, such position being below an ink or markln ribbon and also in the path of the impression hammer 1. AI"- ranged within the casin A and supported by one end of said casing and also by a transversely-extending bar w is a combined support and recording strip guide, which consists of a vertically-disposed plateWhaving the side edges, as at W bent upon itself to provide guides. Each end of the plate W is bent in a curvilinear manner, as at W and the said ends W of the guides W. T e plate W near one end is cut away to form a rectangular opening W ,for the purpose to be presently referred to. The combined support and guide extends through the openings a and a and into the receptacles B and traveling thereover is an intermittently movable recordin strip v, which is divided by longitudinallyextending lines '0 into divisions of, each of t which is suitably designated, as at 'v" for ining therefrom a guide J p the lower end of a spring-controlled pull (licating the name of the game played with which each division associates. The strip o is adapted to unwind off of a roll V carried by a spindle 13 removably ournaled in brackets b arranged within one of the receptacles B. The strip 11 travels over the combined guide and support and into the other receptacle B, where it winds upon a roll V carried by a spindle 14 removably journaled in brackets b Arranged below the o ening W and retained in position by the offset bars W is an ink or marking ribbon W To prevent back rotation of the type roll 0, the spindle 11 is provided with a toothed wheel 0 adapted to be engaged by a resilient dog 0 which is fixed to one side of the casing A.

The bottom of the casing A has dependinto which extends barJ arranged within the casing A and provided with a series of teeth 15 meshing with the large gear wheel C Projecting from the bar J is an arm J which extends through a guide J 6 fixed to the casing A and has its free end provided with a depending lug J. The arm J has attached to its free end one end of a retractile spring J The other end of the spring J 9 is connected to a hook 1G fixed to the top of the casing A. The bar J and arm J are arran ed above the shaft L. Connected to the lower end of the bar J, is a flexible pulling member J which when it is actuated pulls the bar J and arm J 4 downwardly against the action of the spring J 9 and owing to the meshingv of the teeth 15 of the bar J with the gear ()3, the spindle C will be shifted and the latter will carry the bar C therewith to change the indication C exposed by G. \Vhcn the pulling member J? is released, the spring J 9 will return the bar J and arm J 4 to normal position, but when the said arm roject from the ends and bar moves to normal position, the teeth 15 will not actuate the gear C owing to the manner in which the pawl and ratchet connections C and C are arranged and also in view of the fact of the element C engaging with the. ratchet C to prevent back rotation of the spindle C. c

When the bar J and arm J t are actuated through the medium of the pulling member J the squared shaft L is rocked on its journals to elevate the impression hammer and after the pulling member J is released, the hammer Z is swung downwardly quickly and forces the strip, 1) againstthe marking ribbon W type bar and forms a record in one of the divisions of the recording strip a.

The mechanism for operating the hammer l in the manner, as stated, consists of a laterally-disposed lug L which is arranged in the path of the lug J The lug L projects from the shaft L into the path of the lug J so that when the arm J is pulled downwardly, the lug J 5 will engage the lug L and rock the shaft L to shift the hammer l away from the strip 1) and against the pulling act-ion of the spring L, the latter has one end attached to an arm L projecting from the shaft L and has its other end connected to a hook l7 fixed to the casing A. When the pulling member J 2 is released,'the spring L* contracts and actuates the hammer Z so as to form a record thereof in the proper division 11 thereof. The rocking of the shaft L is also had against the action of a pulling spring Z, which has one end attached to a lug Z carried by a support L fixed to the casing A and which has its other end connected to a lug Z projecting from a plate U, which is secured to the shaft L.

'In lieu of actuating the bar J through the medium of the pulling member J the said bar J can be shifted downwardly against the action of the spring J bya handle J which extends through a slot J 3 formed in one of the side walls of the casing A and is connected to the bar J, as at 18.

The recorder is provided with device for indicating every time a record has been made and said device consists'of a bell I fixed to the back wall of the casing A and arranged in the path of a clapper I carried on the lower end of an arm J 8 depending from the bar J. The stop I is provided for limiting the movement of the clapper I in one direction. When the pulling member J is released, the clapperP engages the bell I owing to the action of the spring J 9 upon the arm J 4 and bar J.

In Fig. 11, Z indicates the base of a pool table which is provided with duplex ball runways S to provide for pool balls of diflerent diameters. In this connection, it will be a sounding I i stated thattthe balls used for playing pool are divided into two classes, spotted and colored, they differ in size as they do in color, one class being of lar er size than the other. The balls of the smafier size travel through the channels S and the balls of the larger size travel through the channel S (Fig. 13) The runways S open into a receptacle T divided by the partition T into pockets T and T the latter communicating with the former through the partition T, a suitable opening being provided therefor. The halls are discharged whenreleased from the pocket T. The slide t is of a greater length than the receptacle T and has one end attached to the pulling member J and its other end provided with a handle. The slide t is formed with an openingwhich is adapted to register with the opening T so that the balls can be discharged from the pocket T into the drawer T The opening in the slide t is normally out of register with the open ing T When the slide t is shifted so that its opening will register with the opening T the flexible member J 2 is pulled and which causes an actuation of the bar J and arm J whereby a record will be made. Under such conditions, it is evident that the balls cannot be removed from the pocket T unless the recorder is actuated. The flexible pulling member J 2 travels over the pulleys J The record strip is intermittently Shifted through the medium of a gear wheel N mounted upon a stub shaft 20, journaled in one side of the casing A and which meshes with a gear wheel N and also with a gear wheel N. The reference character 21 denotes a stub shaft journaled in one of the side walls of the casing A and below the combined guide and recording strip support and to which is attached the gear wheel N. The shaft :21 is also provided with a pinion which engages with and imparts motion to a transmission belt m, when the gear wheel N is operated through the medium of the gears N and N when the spindle C is actuated. Arranged below the combined recording strip guide and support, is a stub shaft 22 which opposes the shaft 21 and carries a pinion M over which travels the transmission belt m. The shaft 22 has fixed thereto a gear wheel N which projects through the opening a and engages with a gear wheel N arranged within one of the receptacles B, and fixed to the spindle 13.

From the foregoing construction and arrangement of parts, it is obvious that the recorder comprises an indicating mechanism for exposing an inscription to indicate the number of players playing the game and which is operatively connected wit the type wheel for positioning it to print; an indicatin mechanism for exfosing an inscri tion to indicate the name 0 the game laye and which is operatively connected wit a mechanism for positioning an im ression hammer v associating with the type w eel; an indicating mechanism for exposing an indication to indicate that a new game is bein pla ed and which is operatively connecte wit a record stri feeding means; and a mecha-' nism where y the impression hammer is adjusted to strike and which also actuates the indicating mechanism for exposing an inscription to indicate that a new game is beingplayed and which furthermore operates an alarm mechanism tosignal that a record has been made upon the recording strip.

Briefly described the manner in which the recorder operates is as follows: The apron R is shifted to expose the proper inscription by manipulating the handle it, the latter rotating the gear H and causing the rolls 6 and f to revolve owing to the mesh ing of the gear H with the gears E and F.

Simultaneously with an adjusting of the apron R the type wheel C is shifted to position the proper type bar for printing, the shifting of the type wheel 0 is had through the medium of the gear F meshing with the pinion F upon the shaft 12, the latter being revolved through the medium of the gear wheel F revolving owing to the meshing thereof with the other gear F upon the spindle 1. After the apron R and type wheel 0 have been properly positioned, the apron P is then adjusted, so as to expose the desired inscription P The shifting of the apron P is had by manipulating the handle K whereby the gear K is revolved and owing to the meshing of said gear with the gear C and D, the apron P is shifted. Simultaneously with the shifting of the apron P, the impression hammer Z is shifted transversely with respect to the casing in a 1 5 manner as hereinbefore set forth so that when the impression hammer l strikes, it will make a record in the proper space of the recording strip a. Now it will be assumed that it is desired to record upon the strip a record of the number of players laying the game, as well as the name of the game. The flexible member J is pulled downwardly which actuates the bar J and as the toothed portion of said bar meshes with the gear 0, the spindle C is actuated so as to shift the bar G to expose another inscription to indicate that a new game is being played, simultaneously with the actuating of the spindle C, the shaft L is 'When the member J 2 is released rocked by engagement of the lug J with the lug L whereby the impression hammer l is elevated against the pullin action of the sprin When the bar downwardly by the member J it is accomplished against the action of the spring J. the spring L causes the hammer l to strike the recording strip whereby a record is made thereon, and the spring J causes the bar J to assume its normal position. Simultaneously with the actuating of the spindle C the gears N by motion is transmitted through the belt m, the gear N the pinion N and gear N, whereby the spindle 14 will be operated and the strip 0 shifted to present a surface for record. The actuation of the member T is had by pulling the release slide tto allow the removal of the balls from the receptacle T. In pool rooms, where the charges are hourly ones, the type bars, as well as the recording strip 11 can be changed accordingly and a time recordmade.

hat I claim is:

1. A device for the purpose set forth com prising a pair of indicating mechanisms, independent operating means for each of sald mechanisms, a type wheel printing mechanism having a springpressed controlled and adjustable impression hammer, means whereby said printing mechanism is positioned for printing by one of said operating mechanisms, another indicating mechanism, means whereby the said last-mentioned indicating mechanism and printing mechanism are operated, mechanism for intermittently shifting a record strip in operative dicating mechanism and printing mechanism, and means operatively connected with said last-mentioned indicating mechanism for actuating the mechanism for intermittently shifting the record strip'and an alarm mechanism operated simultaneously with the action of said hammer of the printing mechanism. a

2. A device for the purpose set forth comprising a type wheel, a spring controlled and adjustable impression hammer, a palr of indicating mec anisms, means for adjusting one of said mechanismsand for simultaneously adjusting said type wheel, means for adjusting the other of said indicating mechanisms and for simultaneously adjusting said hammer, and means whereby said hammer is actuated for printing.

3. A device for the purpose set forth comprising a type wheel, a spring controlled and adjustable impression hammer, a pair of indicating mechanisms, means for adjusting one of said mechanisms and for simultaneously adjusting said type wheel,

means for adjusting the other of said indi-' cating mechanisms and for simultaneously adjusting said hammer, means whereby sald is pulled and N are operated, wherehammer is actuated for printing, another indicating mechanism, operated, and mechanism for intermittently shifting a record strip operatively connected mentioned indicating mechanism.

4. A device for the purpose set forth comprising a type wheel, a spring controlled and adjustable. impression hammer, a pair of indicating mechanisms means for adjusting one of said mechanisms and for simultaneously adjusting said type wheel, means for adjusting the other of said indicating mechanisms and for simultaneously adjusting said hammer, means whereby said hammer is actuated for printing, and an alarm mechanism operated simultaneously with the operation of the hammer.

5. A device for the purpose set forth comprising a type wheel, a spring controlled and adjustable impression hammer, a pair of indicating mechanisms, means for adjusting one of said mechanisms and. for simultaneously adjusting said type wheel, means for adjusting the other of said indicating mechanisms and for simultaneously adjusting said hammer, means whereby said hammer is actuated for printing, another indicating mechanism, means whereby it is operated, mechanism for intermittently shifting a record strip operatively connect ed and simultaneously operated with said last mentioned indicating mechanism, and an alarm mechanism operated simultaneously with the operation of the hammer.

prising an indicating mechanism, a printing mechanism embodying a hammer and a type wheel, means for adjusting the indicating mechanism, means whereby said tyne wheel is simultaneously adjusted with the adjusting of the indicating mechanism, means for adjusting said hammer, a resilient element for operating said hammer, reciprocatory means when operating in one direction elevating said hammer, whereby tension is stored in said resilient element, and means for shifting said reciprocatory means in the opposite released for printing.

7. A device for the purpose set forth comprising an indicating mechanism, a printing mechanism embodying a hammer and a type wheel, means for adjusting the indicating mechanism, means whereby said type Wheel is simultaneously adjusted with the adjusting of the indicating mechanism, means for adjusting said hammer, a resilient element for operating said hammer, reciprocatory means when operating in one directionelevating said hammer, whereby tension is stored in said resilient element, means for shifting said reciprocatory means in the opposite direction whereby the hammer is released for printing, mechanisms for intermeans whereby it is direction whereby the hammer is' and simultaneously operated with said last 6. Adevice for the purpose set forth com mittent-ly shifting a record strip in operative relation with respect to said printing mechanism, an indicating mechanism operatively connected with said strip shifting mechanism for operating the latter when the indicating mechanism is operated, and

means actuated by said reciprocatory means" ing mechanism embodying a hammer and a type wheel, means for adjusting the indicating mechanism, means whereby said type wheel is simultaneously adjusted with the adjusting of the indicating mechanism, means for adjusting said hammer, a resilient element for operating said hammer, reciprocatory means when operating in one direction elevating said hammer, tension is stored in said resilient element, means for shifting said recinrocatorv means in the opposite direction whereby the hammer is released for y printing, mechanisms for intermittently shifting a record strip in operative relation with respect to said prints ing mechanism, an indicating mechanism operatively connected with said strip shifting mechanism for operating the latterwhen the indicating mechanism is operated, means actuated by said reciprocatory means for operating the last-mentioned indicating mechanism, another indicating mechanism, and means actuated by the adjusting means for said hammer for operating said lastmentioned indicating mechanism.

9. A device for the purpose set forth comprising an indicating mechanism, a printing mechanism embodying a hammer and a type wheel, means for adjusting the indicating mechanism, means whereby said type whereby wheel is simultaneousl adjusted with the adjusting] of the in icating, mechanism, means foradjusting said hammer, a resilient element for operatmg said hammer, reciprocatory means when operating in one direction elevating said hammer, whereby tension is stored in said resilient element, means for shifting said reciprocatory means in the opposite direction whereby the hammer is released for printing, mechanisms for intermittently shifting a record strip in operatiye relation with respect to said printing mechanism, an indicating mechanism operatively connected with said 'strip shifting mechanism for operating the latter when mally closed release slide for the balls, of

a combined recording and indicating mechanism, and a flexible connection between said mechanism and said slide for operating the mechanism when the slide is shifted to release the balls.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York this 10th day of March A. D. 1910.

ALBERT C. FLU SCHMAN.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL J OHN, MIRIAM LnrKowrrz. 

